NMU 06 – Whey Protein Breakfast Gives Best Results for Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss

A ground-breaking study was presented showing how and why using a whey protein shake for breakfast significantly improves Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Researchers divided 48 obese, type 2 diabetics into 3 test groups:

• One group had a whey protein shake for breakfast.
• Another group used various other animal-based or soy protein foods (eggs, tuna etc.) for breakfast.
• The third group had a healthy-type of carbohydrate breakfast.

Results showed that the whey protein group were more satiated and less hungry throughout the day, so they ate less. They also had lower blood sugar (glucose) spikes after meals and their HbA1c also decreased more than with the other two diets.

The HbA1c is an important indicator of long-term blood sugar control. A lower HbA1c is a very important marker for preventing diabetic complications such as:

• Blindness.
• Kidney failure.
• Heart attacks.
• Dementia.

With respect to weight loss, after 12 weeks, the whey protein group also did the best: the average weight loss was 16.7 pounds. The group using other protein foods for breakfast lost 13.4 pounds and the carbohydrate breakfast group lost only 6.8 pounds (10 pounds less than the whey protein group).

I personally use a whey protein shake for breakfast 5 days per week.

The whey protein you use should have no more than 12 gms of carbohydrate per 25 gm of whey protein. It should contain no more that 1-2 gms of fat. I mix it with water, ice cubes and a heaping tablespoon of ground flaxseed. It helps me maintain my lean muscle mass and keeps my body fat and blood sugar low and in the ideal range. If you are type 2 diabetic, pre-diabetic, and/or you are overweight and are trying to improve your health status, I strongly recommend using a whey protein shake for breakfast 4-5 times per week. I’ve seen many patients do very well using this strategy.

Reference:

The Endocrine Society. “Large whey protein breakfast may help manage type 2 diabetes.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 April, 2016.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160402111253.htm

Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great

Dr. Meschino